1

100% AMERICANISM

In This Issue

American Legion Legacy Scholarship

American Legion Baseball

Samsung American Legion Recognition

Americanism Conferences

Americanism Department Awards

National Commander’s Charity Project

Flag Etiquette

From the Chairman’s Bunker This year the American Legion Legacy Scholarship began providing need-based scholarship awards, expanded eligibility to include children of disabled veterans assigned a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater and im-plemented an enhanced funding strategy in determining total funds available to award as scholarships. Research conducted by the Americanism Commis-sion had identified that the American Legion Legacy Scholarship had experi-enced a diminishing impact over the years due to much greater availability of federal education assistance, most notably the Marine Gunnery Sergeant

John David Fry Scholarship, as well as state education benefits which had evolved for children of the fallen, thus fulfilling their education costs. Enhancements to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship were instituted to achieve a more far-reaching impact and deeper benefit.

During this first year of enhancement the number of online applications electronically opened was beyond expectations – there were a total of 896 online applications. Of those, 362 students indicated having completed their application, with 27 received from children of the fallen and 335 from children of a disabled veteran. Of that 362, a total of 109 applications were assessed as be-ing fully complete with all appropriate, required information.

After verification that all documentation had been submitted and that an applicant met estab-lished eligibility requirements, the Committee on Youth Education then applied a formula for vali-dating and determining scholarship amounts based on the financial need remaining after all fed-eral and state education benefits had been applied, up to a maximum scholarship amount of $20,000. This year 55 eligible students demonstrating a verifiable financial need received an American Legion Legacy Scholarship for their undergraduate and/or graduate studies, thereby disbursing $671,892 of the total $784,134 having been available for 2017 scholarships.

All 55 awardees are children of a disabled veteran having been assigned a disability rating of 50% or greater by the VA. Also in accordance with the resolution, applications received from children of the fallen were given priority first consideration. Of the 27 applications submitted from children of the fallen, none demonstrated a verifiable financial need, illustrating through their supporting documentation that they were well-provided for through the federal and state education benefits available to them.

Chairman’s Bunker continued on page 7

NATIONAL AMERICANISM COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SPRING 2017

Richard Anderson (CT)

2

Americanism 2016 Planner

June 14 Flag Day

July 4 Independence Day July 15

Child Welfare Foundation

grant applications due

August 11-16

American Legion World Se-

ries

August 10-15

American Legion National

Convention

September 15-17

Children & Youth and Junior

Shooting Sports Conferences

September 17

Constitution Day and

Citizenship Day

September 22-24

Combined Americanism Con-

ference

October 8

Child Welfare Foundation

2016 Grant Selection

October 9-12

Fall Meetings

October 27-29

Scouting Chairmen Tele-

Conference

September 2

VJ Day

November 11

Veterans Day

American Legion Baseball

The 2017 American Legion Baseball season is underway with over

3,500 teams in all 50 states participating this year in the nation’s

premier youth baseball program.

The season culminates in the American Legion World Series, which will take place August 10-15 in Shelby, N.C. Each of the eight ALWS teams will now have an opportunity to

play in front of a national television audience as coverage of the

event has expanded on ESPNU.

This marks the fourth straight year in which event coverage in

Shelby, N.C., has expanded on the network since the first tele-

vised game in 2014. In 2017, all games played Saturday, Sun-

day, Monday and Tuesday will be available on cable on ESPNU. All

15 games will be available online through ESPN.com and by using

ESPN’s “WatchESPN” app.

This presents a great opportunity for posts to put the game on

and host watch parties, which will build comradery and awareness

for the Legion’s youth programs. In addition, this could serve as a

fundraising event for local posts.

The 2017 regional tournament sites will be the following: Shrewsbury, MA; Leesburg, VA; Asheboro, NC; New Orleans, LA; Napoleon, OH; Dickinson, ND; Missoula, MT; and Denver, CO. Re-gionals take place Aug. 2-6, 2017.

Baseball continued on page 4

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2015 American Legion World Series

Stars Stripes

Central Plains Mid-Atlantic Great Lakes Mid-South

Northwest Western Northeast Southeast

Thursday – August 13

Game 1 Mid-Atlantic vs. Northwest 12:30 pm

Game 2 Northeast vs. Great Lakes 4:00 pm

Game 3 Central Plains vs. Western 7:30 pm

Friday – August 14

Game 4 Northeast vs. Mid-South 12:30 pm

Game 5 Central Plains vs. Northwest 4:00 pm

Game 6 Southeast vs. Great Lakes 7:30 pm

Saturday – August 15

Game 7 Northwest vs. Western 12:30 pm

Game 8 Southeast vs. Mid-South 4:00 pm

Game 9 Mid-Atlantic vs. Central Plains 7:30 pm

Sunday – August 16

Game 10 Northeast vs. Southeast 1:00 pm

Game 11 Mid-Atlantic vs. Western 4:00 pm

Game 12 Mid-South vs. Great Lakes 7:30 pm

Monday – August 17

Game 13 Winner “Stars” vs. Runner-Up “Stripes” 4:00 pm

Game 14 Winner “Stripes” vs. Runner-Up “Stars” 7:30 pm

Championship Tuesday – August 18

Game 15 Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14 7:00 pm

4

Upcoming Americanism Conferences

Online registration is now available for the annual Children & Youth, Junior Shooting, Scouting

Chairmen Conference and Combined Americanism Conferences being held at the Sheraton City

Centre Hotel in Indianapolis. Completing the online registration does not reserve overnight ac-

commodations. Hotel reservation links will be provided following conference registration. Addi-

tional information on the Scouting Chairman Conference will be available online in September.

Baseball continued from page 2

Applications for the American Legion Baseball Scholarship, sponsored by Diamond, are available now.

Will Smith, who helped guide Texarkana (AR) Post 58 to the 2016 American Legion World Series title, was honored as the George W. Rulon Player of the Year in a ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y., over Me-morial Day Weekend.

There are now 70 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who got their start playing Legion Baseball after Tim Raines and Jeff Bagwell were voted in.

American Legion Baseball alumni Jim Leyland led Team USA The World Baseball Classic title and dedicat-ed the victory to the troops, saying, “I got a chance to manage for our country, the coaches got a chance to coach for our country, the players got a chance to play for our country, but this is for the people who serve our country.”

To stay updated on Legion Baseball, including how to join, follow the official website , Facebook, Twitter and newsletter

Children & Youth Conference

September 15-17, 2017 www.legion.org/cyconference

Junior Shooting Sports Conference

September 15-17, 2017 www.legion.org/jrshootingconference

Combined Americanism Conferences

September 22-24, 2017 Sessions include Boys and Girls State,

Baseball, Chaplains and Oratorical Contest. www.legion.org/cacregistration

Scouting Chairmen Conference

October 27-29, 2017 Additional information will be posted on www.legion.org when available.

5

Americanism Commission Department Awards

O’Connor Americanism Trophy The Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy is awarded annually to that department that has con-

ducted the best all-around Americanism activities. The Americanism Commission will determine

the three departments achieving the greatest number of percentage points based upon activities

reported on the current Consolidated Post Reports. The winner will be selected from the top three

departments based on the best narrative statement that shall be no less the 200 words and not

more than 500 words.

Submissions must be received, no later than July 15 annually, at:

The American Legion

Attn: Americanism Division

P.O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, IN 46206

americanism@legion.org

Frank N. Belgrano, Jr. Trophy The Americanism Commission continues to award the Frank N. Belgrano, Jr., Trophy to the most

deserving department with an active scouting program. Therefore, it is necessary that depart-

ments continue to provide substantiating information as outlined by the Trophies, Awards and

Ceremonies Manual, which states:

“The Frank N. Belgrano, Jr., Trophy is to be awarded annually to the department that has ren-dered the most outstanding service during the period July 31-August 1 to the program of the Boy Scouts of America. The award, to be based on the number of troops organized, strength of exist-ing troops and general welfare of the Scout movement under Legion sponsorship within the de-partment based on written reports with substantiating evidence submitted to National Headquar-ters 15 days prior to the National Convention.

Departments that want to be considered for the award are required to submit a report with a nar-

rative description of the department's efforts and accomplishments for the period July 31, 2016

through August 1, 2017. The design and length of the narrative is your decision, but we want the

selection committee to have something other than statistical information to consider when they

determine the winner. The selection committee has placed a very strong emphasis upon the nar-

rative report in determining the winner.

Reports and narratives can be mailed, emailed or faxed no later than August 11, 2017, to:

The American Legion

Attn: Americanism Division—Scouting

P.O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, IN 46206

Fax 317-630-1369

scouting@legion.org

6

Samsung American Legion Scholarship Recipient Recognition

The top ten 2016 Samsung American Legion Scholarship recipients were recognized in Washington, D.C. on June 5-7, 2017 by The American Legion and Samsung for their accomplishments and future endeav-ors. Samsung and American Legion leadership, staff and several members of the Samsung American Le-gion Alumni Association board spent two days honoring the scholars by touring Washington D.C., having a celebratory breakfast in the Dirksen Senate Building and completing a service project in conjunction with the Operation Comfort Warriors program.

The scholars and alumni created and delivered sixty Operation Comfort Warriors gift bags filled with toi-letries and games to several residents at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. While visiting the home, scholars and alumni seized the opportunity to strike up conversations with veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

In describing the service project, 2016 National Scholar, Sydney Closs said “I spoke with a 94-year-old Korean War veteran and it was very special to me to meet someone who experienced the war since I didn’t get to meet my grandfather and speak to him about his service. I felt like it was some-thing I would have liked to been able to hear from my grandfather, so I’m thankful I was able to experience it here.”

In order to engage recipients of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship, The American Legion and Samsung have teamed up to establish the Sam-sung American Legion Alumni Association. The mission of the association is to engage alumni while advocating the ideals of continued freedom, learn-ing, and service, while also fostering life-long relationships between recipi-ents and the organizations. The annual trip to Washington D.C. is a strate-gic component of connecting scholarship recipients and alumni to the or-ganizations and the forming alumni association.

During their time in Washington D.C. the alumni association Executive Advi-sory Committee consisting of representatives from The American Legion family and Samsung and a National Alumni Board of Directors, which con-sists of nine scholarship alumni from across the country met to discuss and plan for the growth and development of the association.

Alumni are invited to officially join the Samsung American Legion Alumni Association at www.legion.org/samsungalumni. As the 2017 school year approaches, scholars and alumni will have the opportunity to participate in a mentoring program to connect those scholars still in college with scholarship recipients who have established themselves in careers across the globe.

Samsung American Legion Scholarship recipients wishing to keep informed on activities of the associa-tion should join the Samsung American Legion Alumni Association LinkedIn group at www.linkedin.com/groups/8466591 or the Samsung American Legion Scholars Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/SamsungScholars/. For more information, contact Brittany Yoder at byoder@legion.org or 317-630-1208.

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National Commander’s Charity Fund

Children who are in need of shelter, food, clothing or medical care, and service officers who work tire-lessly to assist veterans obtain the benefits they deserve are the focus of American Legion National Com-mander Charles E. Schmidt’s fundraising campaign. Gifts to this fund will be applied to the Legion’s Tem-porary Financial Assistance program for veteran and military families with minor children in the home who are facing economic hardship, and help to provide service officer training and support.

Both programs depend on charitable contributions to offer this vital assistance. It is for this reason Com-

mander Schmidt is urging your support in helping promote and support his charity fund for this year.

Veteran families with minor children at home, when struck with unexpected costs that leave them unable

to pay for basic household needs, are receiving more than $500,000 a year in emergency funding from

The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program. Meanwhile, American Legion service of-

ficers are helping more than 800,000 veterans and their families, free of charge, file disability claims,

benefits applications and other forms of assistance. This means it is imperative that service officers stay

current on VA policies and state and federal laws through the best and latest training available.

"Our post motto is veterans first, so we believe in Commander Schmidt’s project of supporting TFA and

service officers,” Newport Beach, Calif., American Post 291 Commander Douglas Nye said recently after

his post presented the commander with a check for $5,000 to help. “And we believe in what The Ameri-

can Legion does. His fundraising project hits home because we have a lot of vets … that need our help."

All donations to the Commander’s Charity Fund are processed through American Legion Charities, which

has tax-deductible 501(c)(3) status. One-hundred percent of all gifts to the Commander’s Charity Fund

goes directly to help meet the basic needs of children and train service officers.

Online giving is easy, safe and convenient and may be made at www.legion.org/donate using a credit or

debit card. It is also possible to make a recurring online donation. Checks may be made payable to

American Legion Charities (write “Commander’s Charity Fund” on the memo line) and mailed to The

American Legion National Headquarters, 5745 Lee Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46216. For those

having questions, or wanting to make a contribution by phone, they may call 1-800-433-3318.

Chairman’s Bunker (continued from page 1)

Results of the enhancements implemented this year to the American Legion Legacy Scholarships ap-

pears to validate that because children of the fallen are much fewer in proportion and currently so well-

provided for through federal and state education benefits, that the American Legion Legacy Scholarship

would likely not have achieved the level of impact and benefit that was desired had it continued to focus

solely upon providing for children of the fallen. It is important to note, however, that although children

of the fallen are currently well provided for, they will continue to be given first and primary consideration

by the American Legion Legacy Scholarship each year, as doing so could be impactful in the event that

government appropriations or state education benefits should undergo reduction or elimination.

You are encouraged to help spread the word among Legion family in your posts and to those throughout

your communities, most especially to schools, guidance counselors and educators, about the availability

and impact of the American Legion Legacy Scholarship. It is thanks to the support of generous, dedicat-

ed donors that the American Legion Legacy Scholarship is able to provide much-needed financial assis-

tance for the education of the children of our fallen comrades and those comrades who are enduring on-

going effects from their service. Donations to the Legacy Scholarship made be made online at

www.legion.org/donate.

8

Flag Etiquette

The Americanism Commission’s position has been unless an article of clothing is made from the actual flag of the United States, there is NO breach of flag etiquette whatsoever. There are many Americans who are expressing their patriotism and love of country by wearing an article of clothing that happens to be red, white, and blue with stars and stripes or might have an image of the flag silk-screened on the item of clothing.

There is nothing illegal about the wearing or manufacturing of these types of "flag" clothing. Frequently the issue was raised by those members of Congress who voiced opposition to the Constitutional amendment to protect the flag from physical desecration, regarding what is the definition of the flag, and does this definition include items of clothing that are red, white, and blue with stars and stripes. Our response to this hypothetical question has always been, "Hoist a pair of "flag" shorts up a flagpole and see who salutes. Hoist Old Glory up the flag-pole and then see who salutes."

Over the past year or so we have been made aware of the thin blue line flag and patch. The Thin Blue Line has grown thru the United States and Canada to symbolize the relationship of law enforcement in the community as front line protectors of citizens and neighborhoods. In the United States, the Thin Blue Line flag incorporates the blue line into a black and white design replicating the U.S. flag.

According to USFlags.com, the blue center line represents law enforcement, the black stripe and design elements above the blue line represents the public, and the bottom represents the criminals. The idea behind the graphic is that law enforcement (the thin blue line) is what stands between the violence and victimization perpetuated by criminals against their would-be victims of crime. But for the “Thin Blue Line” there would be no public safety in the U.S.

Given the recent public controversies over police shootings, the Thin Blue Line Flag has be-come popular among law enforcement officers, their families, and their supporters. However, this thin blue line is an added unauthorized adornment to the flag and is considered a breach of flag etiquette. The Americanism Commission does not endorse nor recommend its display.

If your post is not holding a ceremony for the disposal of unserviceable flags it should. The ceremony is an excellent opportunity to involve other liked-minded patriotic, civic and frater-nal organizations and to spread the good word about the world’s largest veterans organiza-tion, The American Legion.

Contact Us

The American Legion

Americanism Division

PO Box 1055

Indianapolis, IN 46206

317-630-1203

americanism@legion.org

www.legion.org

1

100% AMERICANISM

In This Issue

Reaffirmation For A Strong America

American Legion Baseball

National Oratorical Contest

American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year

Save the Dates: Americanism Conferences

Americanism Department Awards

Troop & Family Support Programs

Samsung American Legion Scholarship

April Is Children & Youth Month

From the Chairman’s Bunker So many events have taken place in our nation that are aimed at destroying

American lives, and that attack the very basic core values of freedom, de-

mocracy and respect for human life. I call upon each and every one of us to

reflect upon what it means to be an American and to rededicate ourselves

and our posts to taking action that will uphold the principle of “a 100 percent

Americanism.” Americanism, one of the Legion’s four pillars, is simply the

love of America, loyalty to its ideals and institutions, allegiance to its flag, willingness to defend it

against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and a desire to pass on the blessings of liberty to fu-

ture generations. To safeguard our nation’s continuing prosperity, it is vital that we ensure that

our youth understand and cherish our ideals and traditions.

During the national meetings in Indianapolis last fall, Resolution No. 1 titled Reaffirmation For A

Strong America was proudly introduced by the Americanism Commission in response to recent

headlines about a divided country. As a result, the organization’s National Executive Committee

unanimously passed the resolution as a statement for reaffirming The American Legion’s unwa-

vering support for the American way of life under the U.S. Constitution. It urges Americans and

freedom-loving peoples everywhere to stand united in their respect for each other and for military

troops and law enforcement officials, and calls for respect of the symbols and customs that serve

as tangible images of the freedom and liberties of our nation.

The American Legion remains solid upon its foundation of the four pillars and the guiding princi-

ples upon which it was founded, remains bonded together regardless of race or creed or gender

and gives wholehearted support to patriotic endeavors that are for the good of our country.

Please read, share, and most importantly, embody a “100% Americanism” through support of

the ideals found in Resolution No. 1 located on page 8 of this newsletter.

NATIONAL AMERICANISM COMMISSION NEWSLETTER March 2018

Richard Anderson (CT)

2

Americanism 2018 Planner

April Children & Youth Month April 14-15 National Oratorical Contest

June 14 Flag Day July 4 Independence Day July 15

Child Welfare Foundation

grant applications due

July 20-28

American Legion Boys Nation

July 24-28

National Junior Shooting

Tournament

August 8-12

American Legion Baseball

Regional Tournaments

August 16-21

American Legion World Se-

ries

September 21-23

Children & Youth and Junior

Shooting Sports Conferences

September 17

Constitution Day and

Citizenship Day

September 28-30

Combined National Ameri-

canism Conference

October 14

Child Welfare Foundation

2019 Grant Selections

American Legion Baseball

Registration has opened for the 2018 season of American Legion

Baseball! Teams can register at baseball.legion.org.

Players and coaches alike are welcome to get involved in the upcom-

ing season, which will culminate in Shelby, NC., at the American Le-

gion Baseball World Series. The event has continued to grow with

record-breaking attendance each year. As coverage continues to ex-

pand on ESPNU, each of the final eight teams has an opportunity to

play on national television.

The 2017 American Legion World Series champions, American Le-

gion Post 40 in Henderson, Nev., were honored guests of Major

League Baseball in Houston at events surrounding Game 4 of an in-

credible seven-game Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series,

which featured notable former American Legion players. The Astros,

managed by former American Legion Post 170 (Okla.) player A.J.

Hinch, earned the first MLB World Series win in franchise history. Jus-

tin Verlander of American Legion Post 201 (Va.) and New Mexico's

Alex Bregman played starring roles for Houston.

Before Game 4, the Blue Sox participated in a Play Ball clinic for

youth at the Astros Youth Academy with Anthony Rizzo of the Chica-

go Cubs, gold medalist Jennie Finch, commissioner Rob Manfred,

Houston mayor Sylvester Turner and Astros owner Jim Crane.

Baseball continued on page 4

3

National Oratorical Contest

The Americanism Commission would like to extend an invitation for you to serve as a volunteer at

the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest Finals. This special event showcases

our country’s best and brightest youth as they present their thoughts on one of our country’s most

important documents in our nation’s history, the Constitution of the United States of America!

The contest will take place at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel. Contests quarter-finals and

semi-finals will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018, with the finals to be held on Sunday, April 15,

2018.

The support of many volunteers are needed to conduct this wonderful event, which provides

$138,000 in college scholarships to contest quarter-, semi- and national finalists.

These positions are non call-in positions and all expenses related to participation would be those of

the volunteer. Visit http://www.legion.org/oratorical/volunteer for more information.

American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year

Since 1973 The American Legion has annually recognized the achievements of youth involved in

Scouting by conducting an Eagle Scout of the Year competition. The winner of the competition re-

ceives a $10,000 scholarship, and the three runners-up are each awarded $2,500 scholarships.

As a reminder, department nomination forms are due at National Headquarters no later than April 1

and can be downloaded at https://www.legion.org/publications/223495/eagle-scout-year-

nomination-form. Thank you for your continued support of the Scouting movement and The Ameri-

can Legion Eagle Scout of the Year scholarship program. For additional information please visit

https://www.legion.org/scouting/about.

4

SAVE THE DATES

for

2018 national Americanism Conferences

Baseball continued from page 2 Later that day, in front of a crowd of 43,322 the 2017 American Legion World Series championship team

was honored on the field. “For decades, American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of

young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship,” the public ad-

dress announcer stated to a nice ovation. “From Henderson, Nevada, here is the Post 40 American Le-

gion team that won the 91st American Legion World Series this year. Congratulations to these guys, the

2017 American Legion World Series champions!”

The 2018 Legion Baseball season features new rules, which demonstrate American Legion Baseball’s

commitment to player safety and improving the quality of play. Included in the rule changes are adjust-

ment to the pitch count rule and the adjustment to seven-inning games in postseason play.

There will now be 77 former American Legion Baseball players in the Hall of Fame after the induction of

five new players in the 2018 class.

Heading to Cooperstown will be Jack Morris (St. Paul, Minn., Christie de Parcq), Alan Trammell (San Di-

ego, Calif.), Trevor Hoffman (Anaheim, Calif.), Chipper Jones (Deland, Fla., Post 6) and Jim Thome

(Bartonville Limestone, Ill., Post 979).

To stay updated on Legion Baseball, including how to join, follow the official website , Facebook, Twitter and newsletter

Children & Youth Conference

September 21-23, 2018

Junior Shooting Sports Conference

September 21-23, 2018

Combined Americanism Conference

September 28-30, 2018 Sessions include Boys and Girls State, Baseball, Department Chaplains and

Oratorical.

Scouting Chairmen’s Conference

October 26-28, 2018

5

Americanism Commission Department Awards

O’Connor Americanism Trophy The Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy is awarded annually to that department that has

conducted the best all-around Americanism activities. The Americanism Commission will deter-

mine the three departments achieving the greatest number of percentage points based upon ac-

tivities reported on the current Consolidated Post Reports. The winner will be selected from the

top three departments based on the best narrative statement that shall be no less the 200 words

and not more than 500 words. Submissions must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on

July 15 annually and may be either mailed, emailed or faxed to:

The American Legion

Attn: Americanism Division

P.O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, IN 46206

americanism@legion.org

Frank N. Belgrano, Jr. Trophy The Americanism Commission continues to award the Frank N. Belgrano, Jr., Trophy to the

most deserving department with an active scouting program. Therefore, it is necessary that de-

partments continue to provide substantiating information as outlined by the Trophies, Awards and

Ceremonies Manual, which states:

“The Frank N. Belgrano, Jr., Trophy is to be awarded annually to the department

that has rendered the most outstanding service during the period July 31-August 1

to the program of the Boy Scouts of America. The award, to be based on the num-

ber of troops organized, strength of existing troops and general welfare of the

Scout movement under Legion sponsorship within the department based on writ-

ten reports with substantiating evidence submitted to National Headquarters 15

days prior to the National Convention.”

Departments who want to be considered for the award are required to submit a report with a

narrative description of their department's efforts and accomplishments for the period July 31,

2017 through August 1, 2018. The design and length of the narrative is your decision, but we

want the selection committee to have something other than statistical information to consider

when they determine the winner. The selection committee has placed a very strong emphasis up-

on the narrative report in determining the winner.

Reports and narratives must be received no later 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on August 10, 2018, and

may be either mailed, emailed or faxed to:

The American Legion

Attn: Americanism Division—Scouting

P.O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, IN 46206

Fax 317-630-1369

scouting@legion.org

6

Troop & Family Support Programs

Family Support Network

America’s military continues to deploy troops in support of operations combating world-wide terrorism

networks. The national Americanism Commission’s Family Support Network program works diligently to

ensure that military families of deployed servicemembers are aware that support and assistance is avail-

able to them through The American Legion. American Legion posts extend their support at deployment

ceremonies and welcome home festivities across the nation, but the key, of course, is that Legion posts

also stay in touch with military families during their servicemember’s deployment. By posts maintaining

contact and providing support to the families, deployed servicemembers feel secure in the knowledge

that their families have support.

This was especially evident last year as National Guardsmen and Reserve servicemembers were de-

ployed for disaster relief operations across Gulf Coast states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

when multiple hurricanes devastated a great many local communities with widespread destruction and

flooding. Relief operations in the Caribbean are still ongoing. Multiple wildfires in drought stricken Cali-

fornia resulted in the mobilization over 1,900 National Guard servicemembers. And through it all, The

American Legion was there. Californian Legionnaires in Santa Rosa, Chico and Oakmont went to fire-

fighter staging areas with water bottles, hot meals and blankets to provide those brave servicemen and

firefighters a small bit of comfort. National Commander Denise Rohan proudly delivered an Operation

Comfort Warriors grant to veterans at VA medical facilities in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

whose homes and families were affected by the devastating hurricanes.

Operation Comfort Warriors

2017 concluded with a great year of support from the Legion family for the Operation Comfort Warri-

ors (OCW) grant program. Dedicated support was instrumental as it allowed OCW to expand its assis-

tance to 17 different Veterans Affairs hospitals across 16 states and the District of Columbia, and assist-

ed 9,100 veterans and family members. OCW also reached

out to provide 13 separate individual grants that supported spe-

cific veteran needs across the nation. Those individual needs

ranged from specialized computer software for a veteran in

Minnesota recovering from a traumatic brain injury to a special-

ized custom bicycle for an Iraq War veteran recovering from

several IED strikes that had compressed his spine. OCW also

provided a week-long vacation at a horse farm in Virginia for

five severely-wounded servicemembers and their families.

These mini-vacations gave those military families opportunity to leave the confines of Walter Reed to en-

joy a respite from the medical facility and allow the family time together.

OCW asks that Legionnaires have a dual-edged sharpened focus on developing the OCW brand

among younger Post 9/11 veterans so they know what The American Legion can do to aid our injured

comrades, and educating communities and fellow Legion Family members about the OCW grant pro-

gram. The OCW program is dependent upon charitable donations and all of OCW ’s administrative and

marketing costs are paid from Legion membership dues, meaning that 100 percent of donated funds go

directly to purchasing comfort items for the troops. OCW applications to request assistance for a veteran

is available at www.legion.org/ocw.

7

The Samsung American Legion Scholarship now provides applicants an opportunity to receive an extra

point on their application when providing proof that they or their parent(s) are a member of the Legion

Family: American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion. Those applicants

providing documentation of membership will receive one bonus point.—multiple household members does

not provide extra points.

Last year alone, there were more than 5,300 applicants to the Samsung American Legion scholarship,

all of whom are eligible for membership in the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion.

In another change this year, essay questions for the Samsung American Legion scholarship application

were modified. This change will challenge applicants to be creative and to personalize their essays in a

new way. With these new essay options available to applicants, thousands of young people across the

country in American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls state programs will share their

perspective about what The American Legion means or The American Legion’s future priorities. Those es-

say questions are:

Essay 1. Describe any circumstances that may affect your family' s ability to provide for your col-

lege education. How will this affect your long-range goals?

Essay 2. Choose and answer one of the following questions:

Which of the 10 Clauses of The American Legion Preamble (11 clauses for ALA) is the most

meaningful to you and why?

After the Korean War, The American Legion worked with Congress to successfully pass the Ko-

rean War GI Bill of Rights. What issues should The American Legion prioritize as a way to help fu-

ture veterans?

April Is Children & Youth Month

As Americans, we encounter tribulations on a daily basis that may be related to the environment,

crime, unemployment or financial uncertainty. But in the midst of these tribulations, we need to remem-

ber our youth. Our future, hopes and dreams rest in their hands.

One of the many ways The American Legion supports youth is

through its "April is Children & Youth Month" program. We en-

courage you to use and support the program's theme,

"Children ... Our Most Precious Natural Resource," in the promo-

tion of all your children and youth activities.

WHERE DO YOU BEGIN? To start, consider:

• Obtaining a speaker on one of our areas of concern or other pertinent topics.

• Conducting a community project with and for children.

• Forming a Community Committee on Children & Youth to discuss current problems, generate

solutions and then take action.

• Sponsoring a carnival or show featuring young people to raise money for a community project.

• Using videos, if applicable, enlisting the aid of an individual familiar with the subject matter to

both present it and be available to answer questions following the viewing.

Use these suggestions, or develop your own projects, but get involved!

8

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF

THE AMERICAN LEGION INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

OCTOBER 11 - 12, 2017 Resolution No. 1: Reaffirmation for a Strong America Origin: Americanism Commission Submitted By: Americanism Commission WHEREAS, There are forces at work within our country which threaten to fray the social fabric of our great nation and our American ideals; and WHEREAS, That we of The American Legion associate ourselves together to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to foster and perpetuate a 100 percent Americanism, and by this statement deplore any actions by groups, individuals, and organizations who oppose the American way of life; and WHEREAS, Events have taken place in our nation aimed at destroying American lives, and which attack the very basic core values of freedom, democracy and respect for human life; and WHEREAS, We disavow those dissenters in our society who use rioting, injury to others, destruc-tion of property, disregard of the law, and blatant disrespect to America’s revered symbols of freedom and liberty as a means for expressing their views; and WHEREAS, The American Legion remains solid upon its foundation of the four pillars and guiding principles upon which it was founded; and WHEREAS, The American Legion remains bonded together regardless of race or creed or gender and gives wholehearted support to patriotic endeavors that are for the good of our country; now, there-fore, be it RESOLVED, By the National Executive Committee of The American Legion in regular meet-ing assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 11-12, 2017, That The American Legion re-affirms its unwavering support for the American way of life under the Constitution of the United States of America; and, be it further RESOLVED, That The American Legion pledges support to the leaders of our government, armed forces and law enforcement agencies who have the duty and responsibility of providing an orderly process to our way of life; and, be it further RESOLVED, That The American Legion urges all Americans and freedom-loving peoples everywhere to stand united in their respect for officials at all levels of government; for military troops and law enforcement officers who place themselves in harm’s way to protect our nation’s citizenry, values and way of life; for those symbols and customs serving as tangible images of the freedom and liberties of these great United States of America; and for each other as fellow Americans; and, be it finally RESOLVED, That The American Legion use whatever means at its disposal to engage what-ever means possible to promote a united nation and a united American people.

Contact Us

The American Legion

Americanism Division

PO Box 1055

Indianapolis, IN 46206

317-630-1203

americanism@legion.org

www.legion.org